Nierembergia plant named ‘KLENC07344’

ABSTRACT

A new cultivar of  Nierembergia  particularly characterized by blue flowers, a compact growth habit and very early flowering, is disclosed.

Genus and species: Nierembergia caerulea.

Variety denomination: ‘KLENC07344’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar ofNierembergia, botanically known as Nierembergia caerulea, andhereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘KLENC07344’. ‘KLENC07344’was discovered as a seedling resulting from a cross conducted betweenMay to September 2004 in Stuttgart, Germany between the proprietaryfemale Nierembergia parent, ‘X 008’ (unpatented) and the proprietarymale Nierembergia parent, ‘X 010’ (unpatented). A single plant selectionwas subsequently chosen for further evaluation and for asexualpropagation.

The new cultivar was created in 2004 in Stuttgart, Germany and has beenasexually reproduced repeatedly by vegetative cuttings and in-vitroshoot tip culture in Stuttgart, Germany over a three and one-half-yearperiod (more than 30 generations). ‘KLENC07344’ has been found to retainits distinctive characteristics through successive asexual propagations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishingcharacteristics of this new cultivar when grown under normal commercialpractices in a greenhouse in Stuttgart, Germany.

-   -   1. Blue flowers;    -   2. A compact growth habit; and    -   3. Very early flowering.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

This new Nierembergia plant is illustrated by the accompanyingphotograph which shows the whole plant habit of the variety, as well asblooms, buds and foliage; the colors shown are as true as can bereasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. Thephotograph is of a plant about 5-months old and grown from rootedcuttings in a 11-cm pot under greenhouse (glasshouse) in Stuttgart,Germany under conditions which approximate those generally used incommercial practice.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW CULTIVAR

The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctivecharacteristics of ‘KLENC07344’. The data which define thesecharacteristics were collected from asexual reproductions carried out inStuttgart, Germany. The plant history was taken on 5-month old plants in11-cm pots that were pinched once approximately one week after plantingand grown in a greenhouse in the spring. The color readings weredetermined under natural light. Color references are to the R.H.S.Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London (R.H.S.)(2001).

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

-   Classification:    -   -   Family.—Solanaceae.        -   Genus and species.— Nierembergia caerulea.        -   Common name.—Nightshade plant, cupflower.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female parent.—The proprietary Nierembergia parent, ‘X 008’            (unpatented).        -   Male parent.—The proprietary Nierembergia parent, ‘X 010’            (unpatented).-   Plant:    -   -   Growth habit.—Compact.        -   Height.—6.0 cm.        -   Spread.—19.0 cm.-   Branches:    -   -   Length.—10.0 cm.        -   Diameter.—1.0 cm to 3.0 cm.        -   Color.—RHS 146B.        -   Amount of branching (number of lateral branches).—6.        -   Pubescence.—Absent.        -   Internode length.—1.0 cm to 1.5 cm.-   Leaves:    -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate.        -   Shape.—Lanceolate.        -   Apex.—Acute.        -   Base.—Open.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Length.—0.5 cm to 1.0 cm.        -   Width.—0.2 cm.        -   Color (for both immature and mature leaves).—Upper surface:            RHS 146A. Lower surface: RHS 146B.        -   Pubescence.—Absent.        -   Petiole.—Absent.-   Petals:    -   -   Quantity.—5.        -   Shape.—V-shaped.        -   Apex.—Obtuse.        -   Base.—Broad.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Color.—Upper surface: RHS 86B. Lower surface: RHS 86D.        -   Corolla.—Absent.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Pistil quantity.—1.        -   Stigma color.—RHS 144A.        -   Stamen, quantity.—Few.        -   Type.—Epigynoecious.        -   Anther color.—RHS 5A.        -   Pollen amount.—Abundant.        -   Pollen color.—RHS 5A.-   Fruit and seed set: None observed.-   Disease and Insect Resistance: Not observed.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL AND COMMERCIAL CULTIVARS

‘KLENC07344’ differs from the female parent, the proprietaryNierembergia ‘X 008’ (unpatented) in that ‘KLENC07344’ has a compactgrowth habit and blue flowers, while ‘X 008’ has a very compact growthhabit and light blue flowers.

‘KLENC07344’ differs from the male parent, the proprietary Nierembergia‘X 010’ (unpatented) in that ‘KLENC07344’ has a compact growth habit andvery early flowering, while ‘X 010’ has a very upright growth habit andlate flowering.

‘KLENC07344’ differs from the commercial comparison variety ‘BeBop Blue’(unpatented) in that ‘KLENC07344’ has a compact growth habit while‘BeBop Blue’ has an upright growth habit. Additionally, ‘KLENC07344’ hasearlier flowering than ‘BeBop Blue’.

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Nierembergia plant as shown anddescribed herein.